Friday, September 28, 2012

Hey Florida Girls: Coconut Grove Pumpkin Patch

The leaves are changing here in London and there is a feel of Autumn in the air! I may say this today, across the pond, but just last year I was getting sad that there was no Fall celebration around. A pumpkin spice latte was the one thing to get me in the Fall spirit! This year my good friend Vanessa Goodis with Promo Moxie Marketing  has created an amazing Fall activity for South Florida families: The Pumpkin Patch that is sure to give everyone a WonderFALL time! 


Nothing to do this weekend? Want to get your kids in the Fall spirit and make them feel like they live in the North East? Head down to Coconut Grove for an amazing weekend of Fall Family FUN!

$10 for adults, $5 for children 
Hay Maze
Pumpkin Decorating 
Dress Your Own Scarecrows
Fun Vendors
Photo Ops! 
The FIRST 50 families to purchase their tickets at the festival entrance will receive a Frankenweenie goody bag and a pair of passes to the exclusive advance 3D showing of the movie on Tuesday 10/2 at 7pm at the Muvico Broward! Woo-hoo!!! 


Come on out and join in the FUN! 

xoxo~Becca


Thursday, September 27, 2012

On my Shelf



I realized yesterday when riding the bus {yes, a red double decker!} that I was so happy to be back using public transportation. Some people think that is crazy, but I prefer jumping on the bus or the tube and being able to read a good book! I found when living in Florida that I read a lot less then when living in DC and riding the metro. There are SO many books out there that are calling my name but I need to limit my list, so here is what I have on my shelves for the Fall. 

American Heiress - If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, you will love this book about the American girl marrying the most eligible British bachelor. 

Then Again - Diane Keaton's memoir. I have heard it is quite a good read!

Vogue Wedding Dresses - I know it is not a really tube reading type of book, but with all of the wedding celebrations going on, I couldn't resist picking up this soon to be released beauty. 

Skinny Bitch - I know, don't judge, a diet book. I know, I know. However, over the past two years I have put on more weight then I wanted, for sure. With a wedding coming up {my sisters!} and mine {2013!} I really want to get back to my fit self. I have heard good things about these Skinny Bitch books, and its fun to say!

The Night Circus - A circus. A love story. A duel with magicians. I loved Water for Elephants, I hope I love this.

xoxo~Becca

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Giveaway!

Reminder that I am giving away a few of my Favorite Things! To enter CLICK HERE

Monday, September 24, 2012

In the Trenches for a new Trenchcoat!

This weekend the skies opened up and it rained down all over London! Yes, yesterday was my birthday and the weather was {even from a native Englishman} more wet and windy then usual, it was just plain yucky. Yesterday made me realize, ok, it is time for a new coat and some new shoes!

I have always loved my Juicy trench coat I bought about six years ago, but with cropped sleeves and a lining that is tearing into shreds, the dry factor is not really ideal anymore. I'm hoping to find a new, warmer, slimming trench coat...soon. Hopefully the sun will shine again this Spring and I can sport my suede hot pink shoes with this cute little coat {like below!} but for now, it is time get something to fit this weather a little better. 


Trench Coats

Friday, September 21, 2012

A Few of my Favorite Things: GIVEAWAY!

A lot has been going on in my life: packed up our life in Florida, travelled to Virginia, DC, NYC,  moved to London, moved our dog to London and got engaged...just a  few things going on. Along the way I have been lucky enough to gain some new readers and start posting some new series, Urban Flip Flops is growing, woo hoo! As a thank you to one of my readers and as a celebration of my move, my upcoming birthday and my engagement I am giving away a few of my favorite finds from the last few weeks! 

Here are the details: 

1. Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2012 Issue - This has been my go to wedding magazine for years now! There are a lot of magazines out there, but honestly, hands down, the ladies over at Martha Stewart Weddings have such amazing ideas. You can imagine how excited I was when they congratulated me {via Twitter but all the same, excited!} on my engagement. 


2. Pineapple Necklace - This little charm is a reminder to my days in Florida! 

2. Sweet Spun Sugar Soy Candle - I became a little obsessed with this candle the last few weeks in Florida. I have a bit of a sweet tooth, so of course I loved a candle that made my office smell like cotton candy! 


4. Milk Bar Compost Cookie - I was finally able to make a quick visit to Milk Bar when in NYC! The compost cookies is pretty much heaven in a cookie! Pretzels, Coffee, Potato Chips, Butterscotch Chips, Chocolate Chips, yum! 


5. Knot & Bow Heart Stickers - My favorite little stickers to add to snail mail! I'm giving away the pink hearts, but also make sure to check out their site for the gold and neon ones!

6. Scratch Paper Studio Note Pad- I found Natasha a few months ago via Etsy and since then she has created me note cards, calling cards, notepads and a few gifts, I just love her! I wanted to share a little bit of SPS with you and had her create a cute little to-do notepad for one special Urban Flip Flops reader "Things that will make MY day Sparkle!". 

7. Glitter Nail Strips - If I don't have time for a fun manicure but you want to jazz up your nails, these strips are a huge go to for me!

8. Le Pen - Favorite little thing to write with, in pink of course. 

9. A few little British Surprises! 

You have until Friday, September 28 2012 at 12:00 p.m. EST to enter in this giveaway!

  • All you have to do is:
  • 1. Leave a comment on this post with your favorite Fall Find!
  • 2. Facebook about the giveaway linking to my Facebook page

  • Additional entries for: 

Please leave a separate comment for each entry!
*US & UK residents only
Good luck! 
xoxo ~ Becca


Our First Week in London

I can not believe that last week at this time we were waiting at Heathrow airport for Oliver to arrive. It has been a week here in London! Busy looking for flats, Beau started his new job, we celebrated his birthday, Oliver discovered some new parks and we discovered some fabulous pubs! Here are a few shots from our first week in our new country. 


Feeling frumpy and unstylish, I put my hair up in a big pouf, added some hot pink lipstick and wore my trench for a day out to discover the city. 


I've become a bit obsessed with front doors in London. Shiny with fabulous door knockers, what a great entrance to your home. I am constantly stopping mid walk to snap a pic of a cute new door. 


We discovered a near by park for Oliver that has new British puppy friends. There are SO many parks in London but it is funny because not all of the parks allow dogs, so while we are looking for a place to stay, we have our eyes open for a park near by.


Our first day in London was sunny! Luckily we have not had rain {even though I know its on its way this weekend!} but the temperature is quite chilly. Time for me to purchase a new winter coat. 


Who knew that there were so many red foxes in the city! I feel like this cute little red fox is the rat to this city, but way cuter. I was told that they get in from the countryside and walk down the railroads. We were walking by a park and a girl left her yogurt for him! Since then I have spotted many little foxes on my walks with Oliver, secretly I want to him to be friends with Mr. Fox, but I have a feeling that isn't such a good idea. 


We have been walking around numerous neighborhoods trying to get a feel if we like the area to live in before searching for flats there. I couldn't help by convince Beau to visit Notting Hill! My college when I studied abroad was in this neighborhood and it is just too cute! 

Oliver has started some new bad habits: laying on the couch and jumping on the bed. The problem is that we have also started two bad habits and allowed him too. There is just such limited space in this flat that I feel bad making him snuggle up in a ball on the floor. Oh well, isn't he too cute to say no to! 

Happy Weekend everyone! We are going to do a lot of more exploring and venture off to a new pub for my birthday on Sunday! Thinking of your from Across the Pond! Cheers! 

xoxo~Becca

Thursday, September 20, 2012

I've got the Fall Wardrobe Blues

I am totally a girl who loves the Fall season! I love the crisp chill in the air, pumpkin spice lattes, a reason to wear black tights every day of the week and the pretty changing of the leaves on the trees. Yesterday it was quite chilly here in London, about 65 degrees, this is when I realized that I was not ready for the change in wardrobe attire. I have spent the last three Fall seasons in Florida wearing flip flops, open toe shoes and when it is chilly out, throwing on a cardigan. Yesterday I went to get dressed from my two suitcases of clothes I brought until our crate arrives and thought, "oh my, I'm feeling so un posh. I need a little style refresh this Fall." It doesn't help that it is London Fashion Week here and everyone I see is stylish, but even the local London girls look Posh in their messy outfits. 

I found a few British ladies with cute style that are inspiring me to get out of my Fall Wardrobe Blues.


 A floral blazer and a puffy black skirt. 
{image from Florence Finds}
 Boyfriend Jeans, Fancy Heels and a Preppy Blazer
{image from A Girl A Style}
 Black Sweater Turtleneck, a Bright Tweed Dress and a Big Bright Bag 
{image from Harpers Bazaar}

Daytime Fancy Lace 
{image from Harper's Bazaar
 Animal Print Pants
{image from Notting Hill Girl}
Printed Dress, Colorful Cambridge Satchel and Flats
{image from Wish, Wish, Wish}

I am looking for a new job, saving for our wedding, flying back home to the States a couple of times and moving into a new flat, all of these things equal a budget for new clothes. I found a few pieces that caught my eye and am wishing of changing my entire closet! Let's just say I'm in a bit of a fashion rut right now! Do you have any items on your mind this season? New booties, a jacket, something bright? 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Planning our Wedding: Where & When

It has been two weeks now since Beau got down on his knee and proposed to me! I really can NOT believe how time has flown since then. Two weeks ago we were in NYC, drove back to my parents in Virginia, went to DC to see friends and moved to London, craziness. Many of you have asked about when we are getting married and where we will get married, so I thought I would start the series on Planning our Wedding with the first post: Where & When. 

A few of our Thoughts: 


Honestly, as much as a lot of you may not believe me, we are not starting to plan our wedding yet, yes, it is true! I had drinks with my DC girlfriends last week and everybody said, "Sure you aren't planning it, riiiight!  You probably have a binder already put together with all the plans that you have been working on for years." Truthfully, I do not. Working in the events business since I have been in college, working part time in wedding planning over the years, writing for a wedding blog and reading wedding magazines galore since high school, yes, you would believe I have every detail ready to go and we could get married tomorrow, well I do not. I have learned quickly, when it is your wedding and not a client's, it makes you step back and really think about every little detail just a little bit more. 

My older sister is getting married in November in Seattle, Beau's brother just had a little baby boy, we just moved to London, I'm looking for what is next for me, Beau started a new job and we need a place to live. So with all that we have going on, we have decided to keep the wedding planning details to ourselves until after the holidays. London, DC, NYC, Holland, Florida, who knows where we will get married! I do know, that we are both beyond excited and this is one wedding that we are going to take our time planning and enjoy every little detail! I can not wait to keep you posted along the way! 

xoxo~Becca

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to my cupcake, my Beau, my fiancé! What a year it has been and what a year we have ahead of us! Cheers to a fabulous birthday! I will see you at the Pub to toast with a pint. 
xoxo~ Becca


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

September Loves

I truly can not believe that it is September 18th! Mid September, how did you sneak up on me??? Well between travelling, unpacking, engagement celebrations, Oliver time, exploring the city, looking for a job, I haven't found much time for browsing around online. I stayed home today to find a little quiet time {minus the noise from the London street down below our flat, which I don't mind at all!} to browse around online. Wow, my birthday is coming up this week, how did that happen as well! Here are a few items on my September wish list. 

1. Leopard Flats - Tuxedo like flats from Target! Target, the one store I miss so far in the UK! For $15 I could get a new pair of adorable flats to walk around the city in. 

2. Love Bangle - I bought this bangle and a NYC bangle the day after Beau and I got engaged. I thought NYC+Love would always make me remember our amazing engagement night when I wear them.

3. Foil Initial Oyster Card Pass - Not the metro or the subway, nope, now I take the tube on a daily basis. My black plastic MasterCard logged Oyster Card pass holder isn't too posh, I think I need to replace it. 

4. Edie Bag in Pecan - The perfect ladylike structured over the shoulder bag. 

5. Macaron Ring Box - How adorable is this little box to keep my engagement ring safe when I take it off....but really, hhm, do I ever take it off?

6. Gobsmacked Nail Lacquer - Bye Bye pastel pink. Hello black and Fall color polish! 

7. Kate Spade New York Gramercy Watch - Isn't this just a pretty watch. Simple, a touch of pink and classic! 

Monday, September 17, 2012

Sir Oliver goes to London!


After two weeks of traveling, we have arrived in London! And yes, I know you have been asking, "How is Oliver?" He is GREAT! He is becoming quite the city dog and he is behaving well {so far} to the other British puppies in the park. I am not going to lie and say it was easy moving a dog to the UK, but we did it! If anybody is reading this that is thinking about moving their dog Across the Pond I wanted to give a little advice. If you are not moving, but you just love our little Sir Oliver, well, I bet you will find the entire process interesting.  

We started the journey from Florida with a drive to Virginia to visit my parents and then to DC to catch our flight. Oliver was getting use to car rides, sleep overs in hotels and time spent running after the horses at my parents, he had no idea what was coming. 


We stopped in DC for one night to visit friends and we had to walk down to the Mall for a family photo op! Who can resist some "Oliver goes to Washington!" photos. 
After months of visiting our vet in Florida and many phone calls to DEFRA in England, we thought we had the paperwork all straight. My biggest suggestion to the entire process is, do everything in advance! Read the paperwork, read it again and re read it over and over. Once you think you have everything completed, there is probably one missing number or one missing date. Oliver had to be up to date with his shots, his microchip needed to be changed to international status and we had to buy him a larger hard crate on all sides. Once we got to my parents, 10 days prior to our UK departure, Oliver had to go in for an international exam. The catch was that the vet in Virginia was going on vacation {once I heard that I thought, oh no!} and you had to have the same vet do the exam and complete his final paperwork. As nice as they were, they ordered a mobile vet to come in complete Oliver's exam 10 days prior to departure. After this step you then send off the paper work {via Fed Ex for sure!} to the USDA to have stamped and confirmed it is a-OK. Sounds so easy, one exam, send paperwork. Ya right! Once it made it to USDA we were expecting to receive the paperwork back on Monday, September 10th, 3 days prior to our flight, once we had not heard from them and Fed Ex had no tracking for the papers, I heard from them on Tuesday, "Oh, we needed a $30 payment." Well, hello, why didn't we know this! Ugh! So on Wednesday, the day before our flight we received all of his paperwork signed sealed and delivered, phew. After the paperwork, he received a deworming pill at the vet, and then he was off to the UK!
 We arrived in DC at Virgin Atlantic Cargo. Not the best area at the airport that you want to drop off your furry love. You envision bringing your puppy to baggage check and seeing him get put on the plane, nope, that does not happen. We were told to arrive four hours prior to our flight to check him at cargo, so we did exactly that. Oliver was so patient and received multiple treats and walks while we waited. After Frans and I being patient for an hour and seeing the clock tick by, we started to get nervous about making our flight! Our flight left at 6:50pm and finally at 4:30pm we were waited on for Oliver, oh my! We had not received the Virgin Atlantic paperwork, so we had to fax this back to the vet and have them sign it and fax back {another reminder, make sure you have EVERY SINGLE form from the airline, not only the two others you were told that was it!}. After waiting, signing, faxing and paying a big hefty plane ticket for Oliver, we settled him in his room for the flight, gave him lots of kisses and told him goodbye. Your dog will need a hard crate, a blanket, some toys and a water bowl connected to the crate. 
Beau and I made friends with the oh so nice Virgin airline stewardesses who assured us that the pets had their own area in cargo, their was light and temperature control, that gave me some piece of mind. Half way through the flight I woke up to a little turbulence and definitely thought, "Oh my! How is Oliver!". I pictured picking Oliver up and him hating us for putting him through this stress! 

 We arrived at Heathrow Airport at 7:00am and were told that the dog clearance takes about two to four hours after we land. After gathering up our six suitcases, I stayed at the airport with our luggage and Beau made his way to the Animal holding area about 15 minutes from our terminal. About an hour and a half later...Beau was back, no Oliver in hand! Oh my! Unfortunately our vet had not included the rabies batch number on his form so we had to wait until later in the day to get the vet to complete this form {hello, 6 hours ahead, they were not event awake!}. We were assured Oliver was OK, he was playing with the other dogs, but we had to wait for his paperwork to pick him up. So off Beau and I went, to London to find our small little apartment in Angel. A few hours later we got back on the tube, we went back to Heathrow and after calling the vet in Florida a few times, FINALLY, had them complete the one little number, fax it back, and after waiting for three hours........ we were....reunited! 





Hi I'm Oliver and I live in London! 

So most important lesson: find a vet that will be there to complete the exam and send off the paperwork 10 days prior for his exam. Get the paperwork stamped and approved from USDA, paperwork arrives back, deworming pill from vet no more then 5 days prior, and your pet is good to go. The most important thing I learned is make sure EVERY single blank is complete on the paperwork. Make sure there is not a space empty on any form. Call DEFRA a thousand times and ask 101 questions. Do all of this in advance and after some waiting you will be reunited with your puppy also! Thank goodness we missed the quarantine time in the UK that ended in January, that would not have been fun! 

Oliver does not hate us, he is happy as a clam and right now enjoying our teeny short term flat we are living in temporarily. We have taken him to the parks and he is hopefully understanding all of the other pets accents when they bark. 

xoxo~Becca

Friday, September 14, 2012

Engaged!

I know I have been really quite around here this past week. Packing the house, the move, a two week road trip to my parents, NYC and DC, a flight to London and a dinner to remember left me with limited internet connection and little time to post. I have been itching to tell you about some big news that happened...

Beau took me to dinner at Asiate at the Mandarin Oriental when we were in NYC. The restaurant is located on the 35th floor and has a killer view of Central Park and of New York. Before we went to New York Beau kept insisting we go there for dinner and my response was, "Why, such a fancy restaurant, none of my girlfriends will want to meet us there for dinner???". Oh Rebecca, my oh my. Well our table had this beautiful view, Beau ordered champagne, it was gorgeous and then....


before we ordered dinner he got down on his knee and said "It is about time I make this official!", I was in awe and so over the moon. Yes, he proposed!!!! After seven years of dating.....we are getting married!!!! 
{lots of exclamation points!!!}. 


I could go on and on and on about how excited we are, how excited I was, how beautiful the ring is, etc. It's funny, for being Miss Social Media girl and spreading my life all over the internet, that night we didn't call anybody or get on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, nothing. We had dinner, we walked to the Plaza and had drinks, it was a night I will NEVER forget! I'm keeping this post short and sweet because really, do I need to say more....I am ecstatic! 


So excited, so happy! Who would have thought a year ago that I would be moving to London with my dog and my FIANCE {still so weird to say!}. I can't wait to share all of the fun planning process ahead. For now, we are off to our flat, yes, we just arrived in London! 

Thank you to everybody for all of the sweet congrats already! We are so happy of everything that is ahead for us. 

xoxo~ Rebecca

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Featured: Pretty Fluffy


Saturday morning, lounging around catching up on blog reading? Make sure you hop on over to see Sir Oliver's feature on the adorable dog blog, Pretty Fluffy this week! Oliver, the Dog of the Blogs. Check out the feature HERE


xoxo~Becca

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Ice Cream on Las Olas

Before I moved out of Fort Lauderdale I was so excited to finally meet up with a blogger friend/ photographer, Jackie with Three Brooklyn Photography . It was such a hot afternoon in Florida that as we were walking around Las Olas Boulevard we were drawn into the scent of homemade waffle cones and delicious fudge and knew we had to stop at Kilwin's to cool off. A hot Summer day and an ice cream cone are truly a perfect match. 

Usually I tend to stop at the low fat/non fat frozen yogurt shops. However, on a hot day like it was, nothing sounded better then a large yummy ice cream cone. Kilwin's is a nationwide chain that is usually found in beach towns and the cute street of Las Olas has one. You can not help but commenting on the amazing fresh baked scents while walking by. Even though it is a large chain, just stepping into the store gives you a little feel of nostalgia.  





Mint chocolate chip ice cream, coconut ice cream, dulce de leche ice cream, it was a hard choice! 



The Summer has ended and I am moving across to London. I do not think there will be many other days that I can sport my bright Lily Pulitzer skirt and meet up for an afternoon that includes ice cream on Las Olas. I am glad I splurged and sat in the sun with meeting a new friend and indulging! I highly recommend it. 

Thank you Jackie for the fabulous photos! 

xoxo~ Becca

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Big Apple

Beau, Oliver and I made it to Virginia over the weekend! After an 18 hour drive, a weekend spent with my parents, college football and a hike in the beautiful Virginia hills, we are on our way to the Big Apple for the day! I can't wait! Beau and I are ready to explore, meet up with lots of friends, attend some fun Fashion Night Out events and eat lots of fabulous food in the best city in the world, New York City!!!! I will be back tomorrow with some regular posting. For now....here I come New York! 

xoxo~Becca
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